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Westerns are also known as western blots or immunoblotting, is a technique to detect protein expression for a given sample or cell extract via antigen-antibody interactions. Proteins are first separated using gel electrophoresis, then transferred to a nitrocellulose or PVDF membrane to be stained with antibodies to the target proteins.

There are many methods of western blots including the tank, semi-dry and dry formats. The efficiency of the particular method will need to be experimentally determined and will depend on the nature of the protein as well as the particular form of electrophoresis used to separate the protein (for example Native vs. SDS-PAGE).

The name western blot was given to extend the naming convention based on Southern blots. Southern blotting involved the hybridization of DNA to a membrane with subsequent detection of DNA. Northerns blots were named for the hybridization and detection of RNA. The Southern blot method was the original technique and was named for Edwin Southern.

Related techniques include the detection of proteins by antibodies in tissues (immunohistochemistry, IHC) or in a plate format (ELISA or Immunoassay).